Figure 4.

Disruption of autophagy by BECN1 siRNA impairs ELAVL1-enhanced ferroptosis. The indicated HSC cells were stably transfected with BECN1 siRNA or BECN1 plasmid, and then were treated with erastin (10 μM) for 24 h. (a) BECN1 and LC3-I/II protein expression was determined by western blot analysis. The indicated HSC cells were stably transfected with BECN1 siRNA, BECN1 plasmid, BECN1 siRNA+ ELAVL1 plasmid, or BECN1 plasmid+ ELAVL1 plasmid, and then were treated with erastin (0–10 μM) or sorafenib (0–10 μM) for 24 h. (b) Cell viability was assayed (n = 3 in every group, *, p < 0.05, N.S., not significant). (c) GSH, ROS, MDA, and iron levels were assayed (n = 3 in every group, *, p < 0.05, N.S., not significant).